Good Friday Night Yak Photography

After my point and click waterproof camera died a sad death on Abel Tasman in January, I decided to upgrade to a Nikon 1 AW1 - waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, dropproof and hopefully idiotproof too.

We'd recently seen some photos that inspired us to get some waterproof, flashing LED lights, tape them to Bluey's paddle and head out with the new camera to Maraetai under the full moon.

With a range of shutter speeds from about 10 to 30 seconds, we took turns paddling and photographing. Enjoy the results. I think the new Nikon camera is a keeper!

Rangitoto - views and nudes

One of the most iconic features of the Auckland skyline, Rangitoto Island, has drawn visitors for years. It's a must do, but one that neither of us ever did - until yesterday.

On the first day of Autumn, we packed Bluebell with bakery lunches, swimming gear and lots of water. Starting at St Heliers beach, with blue skies and a light breeze, it only took us about 40 minutes to reach the jetty at the island.

Not wanting to pull in at the main jetty, we paddled further into a small estuary, where we met an older man, paddling with a Greenland paddle. After chatting with him for a few minutes about the advantages of the paddle, (I'm interested in getting two for Ciao,) he proceeded to tell us that because he had wet his trousers, he was not wearing any pants. On such an unusual note, we quickly parted company as he paddled out towards the jetty again.

We soon realised that there was no way to pull ashore without getting covered in mud, so we turned back to the jetty as well. There is a ramp leading to the water that looked like an easy place to pull up at, but we meandered and suddenly found rocks in the opposite direction fascinating, as our Greenland paddle friend had pulled in and, on exiting his boat, we discovered that he was, indeed, very pantless. Kayakers are a funny bunch!

Ferries bring the crowds to Rangitoto throughout the day and the island welcomes them well, with a big shelter by the jetty, information placards and well-maintained tracks. We pulled Bluebell up beside the main shelter, hiding the paddles and PFDs behind a shed for security. With all the visitors lounging in that area, it did seem like an unnecessary precaution.

The track to the summit takes just over an hour to walk and we detoured to explore some lava caves - well worth it. If you go, take a torch and ensure that you go to the end of the track instead of stopping at the first rocks you see. We nearly missed two long tunnels until someone told us to keep going!

The crater of Rangitoto is large and forested. It is difficult to imagine it active, about 600 years ago, but the lava rubble along the path at the base is a testament to the force it had. Some old army lookouts are at the top and the view is fabulous.

After a much faster walk down Rangitoto than up, a quick swim where we had brought the kayaks in was a great refreshment.

Paddling back to St Heliers, we followed Rangitoto's shoreline towards Motutapu for about half an hour, hoping to catch the wind in the umbrella sail on the way back. The paddle became rather boring, with no real change in scenery.  True to form, the wind died as we made our move, so it took us about an hour to return.

Today was our day for pantless people. We seem to have found a nudist beach just south of St Heliers beach on the way back. Didn't stop!

Rangitoto Island is well visited for good reason and makes me glad to be an Aucklander. Another visit is needed.

Sensational Summer Adventure!

Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds 11 - 22 Jan
We have just returned from exploring Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds! There are a host of blog posts in the process of being written, so this is a taster of some of my (Annette) favourite photos. We have a great menu and camping recipes to share, helpful tips on planning and packing, as well as plenty of stories about the magnificent things to experience at the top of the South Island of New Zealand.

With nothing else to do but watch the day melt into night...

Heading to sea

Water level

A perfect morning at Mosquito Bay

A perfect evening at Mosquito Bay

To the sea...to the sea...

Time to reflect

 

Marlborough Sounds magic

Stormy seas

Home sweet home

Watch this space...

Brollyaking - Kayak Sailing with a Golf Umbrella

The first boat I owned, Ciao, is not a kayak but a sailing canoe. The thrill of wind power, feeling the taut sail and flying across the water, leaving a gushing wake, can't be beaten. So how to replicate that in a kayak?

Kayak sails are expensive and semi-permanent on your craft. I chose to go with a golf umbrella instead and it works a treat! 

Brollyak back from Waiheke Island to Maraetai today. No paddle power needed.

Pluses:

- No kayak modification needed to accommodate it.

- Easy to manoeuvre.

- Quick to put up and take down. No fuss.

- Much cheaper than a kayak sail.

- Multi-purpose. Great as a rain or sun shield on the water or in camp on longer missions.

- Best of all, in the right wind, with the right umbrella, you MOVE!

Useful as a sun-shade too!

I've been Brollyaking for a few years already in Bluey. When Annette got Bluebell, the question was, 'can we do this in a double?' After a first unsuccessful attempt, we thought not, but trying since, we've found that it works beautifully. So, it's now off to the shop to find the best brolly for the job.

Things to remember:

- Not just any umbrella will do. Get a gust-proof, fibreglass-frame, double layer model - the larger, the better. The fibreglass will not rust. Double layer and gust proof will mean you can ride bigger winds and more surface area means more pulling power.

- Secure your umbrella to something but have a way to close it quickly in case the wind overpowers you. After trial and error, I now tie the handle to a front bungy on my deck with a slip knot. This means it will stay with me if blown out of my hand but is quick to release if I need to.

- Tilting the umbrella helps harness the wind as well as with steering. 

- Avoid tipping. If there is a strong wind from one side, I will not tilt my umbrella directly into it, but slightly forward, as well as having my rudder into it and paddle balanced out, almost like a catamaran arm, for stability. If the wind is too strong, paddle instead!

- Unless you can come up with a better way, paddling while Brollyaking is hard in a single kayak. If that is your aim, it's probably better to go for a sail.

Other considerations: 

- If you want to try sailing before committing to buying a beast of an umbrella, tent flies, (Google it), raincoats and plastic bags do the job as well. Plastic bags also make a good standby in the unfortunate event of losing an unsecured umbrella to the bottom of a lake. I will reveal no culprits' names, D...

Goodbye to Molly the Brolly - an unsuccessful Brollyaking result.

Most of all, Brollyaking is fun and a great way to cover ground - water(!) without wasting muscle power, except from holding-on-tight-to-umbrella muscles. 

Give it a go and let us know how you went!

Just for fun - How not to drive with a kayak

This came out in the local newspaper today: How not to drive with a kayak
Quick summary - don't do this:

You're welcome for the tip!

A hidden gem

Where: Okura, North Shore, Auckland.

Who: Shirley and Annette in Bluebell
3 1/2 hours paddling

Do you have a kayak gathering dust in your garage? Get it out, and do this trip!  Today we discovered a true hidden gem, a beautiful piece of water teeming with fish and stingray, hemmed by bush and home to herons, plovers, oyster catchers and kingfisher.

We launched at the end of Okura River Rd, about 30mins north of Auckland. The tide was out and we were met with a wide stretch of mud between us and the water.

But, we have learned a thing or two since a rather disastrous muddy disaster early on.  We brought along wheels!

...and the wheels can be strapped to the front, out of the way.

 This wonderful invention is a cart that you strap at one end of the kayak, allowing you to wheel it to the water. However, I recommend that if you want to paddle the Okura River you launch at high tide.  It's much easier.

We launch and head out towards the open sea. You may notice the Christmas decoration that accompanied us. Shirley felt the need to be festive!

Once we got out to the sea we hung a right and headed along the coast to Long Bay. The sea was like silk, Rangitoto in the distance was surrounded by tiny white sails and the coastline busy with people out exploring.

While the scenery was stunning, the treats were also good.

The return trip back up the river provided us with some great opportunities for photography. As the tide carried us along at great speed, our waterproof cameras got some work.

And so here we were, floating upstream, paddling occasionally... when all of a sudden the kayak came to a complete stop (or as I called it, a 'stationary stop'... blonde moment). This river is very tidal and we had run aground on a sand bank.  Watch out for those when kayaking in tidal areas. It turns out that it is best to look out for the poles that mark the channel and stick close by them.

But, no harm done, Shirley dragged us safely back to deeper water while I sat in the kayak capturing the moment.

Paddling the Okura is by far and away better than the Puhoi River. I think it is the best beginners paddle around. Dust off that kayak and get out there!

Meandering to Maraetai and Boys with Muscles... I mean, Buoys with Mussels

Where: Opposite Umupuia Marae to Maraetai.

Who: Shirley and Annette in Ciao

What to do on a Sunday afternoon with grey clouds and a northerly wind? We decided to take Ciao to a favourite paddling ground, Maraetai.

Starting at Umupuia marae, we planned to paddle against the wind while we had energy, then turn around after a while to enjoy a sail back - because sailing Ciao is fun!

Those clouds look ominous, but it is good to be on the water again!

All worked to plan on the way there. The wind, while strong, didn't hamper us too much as we hugged the coast and enjoyed being on the water again. After a few minutes of paddling, we saw two ski buoys, both covered in mussels. Buoys with mussels have appeal! We made a note to collect a few on our way back.

Wait there, mussels - we'll be back!

After lunch at Magazine Bay, we pushed on for the final stretch to Maraetai beach, looking forward to turning around and flying back to the car with the strong wind in our sails.

We turned. The wind stopped. Almost immediately.

Sigh. This seems to be a regular thing for us - orca arriving at a place the day after we paddle there, free time with terrible weather, wind changing direction as soon as we try to harness it. Never mind. The tide and a few gracious puffs from time to time were enough to stop us from having to use our paddles. Meander, we did.

View of Duder's Point through the sail

Returning to our two mussley buoys, we collected a few to cook up. (In Auckland waters, the limit is 25 each a day, with no size limit. We chose 28 between us and only went for big ones.)

Back to the beginning. See the mussels we harvested?

Driving home, we felt sun and wind-kissed. The paddle to Maraetai and back was about 8km and just the right mix of relaxation, exercise and enjoyment of a beautiful area.

Home time - mussel time!

After steaming them, we fried them up in butter with onion, garlic, lemon juice, ginger, sweet Thai chilli sauce and a bit of olive oil. Yum with chunks of bread!

YUM!

A very agreeable way to finish off the weekend and a trip that we are sure to do again.

What we did well:
1) found a great, relaxing trip to take the weather into account - until the wind died.
2) became great hunter-gatherers, enjoying a delicious feed from our efforts.

What I did exceptionally well: bought two pairs of water-sports sunglasses online, reduced to $2 each, including postage. Annette doesn't seem so convinced about their fabulousness, but I think they complete my 'serious kayaker' look with croc shoes and bright orange hat.

The epitome of style - kinda.

Remember for next time: bring a bag for the mussels. They went in my dry-bag for the trip home and it still smells.

Our route